For children who are 2 years, 8 months and less than 6 years of age by September 1, and who have been identified with a disability/delay. Children are eligible for up to three years of ECS funded programming, depending on age, severity of the disability/delay and its impact on the child’s ability to function within an ECS program.

The Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education apply to children who meet the eligibility criteria for special education programming.

Children registered with Alberta Education who live greater than 1 kilometre from their school are eligible to receive a Transportation Grant. The Transportation Grant payments will be made at the end of June. The calculation will be based on the number of months your child received therapy sessions. Payments are not based on attendance records unless the child is absent for one month or more. Foothills Creative Beginnings does not provide transportation so this allowance will be paid directly to the parents/legal guardians.

The Community Parent/Child Programming is designed for the families of children receiving PUF/MM/EAL funding. Each session is 3 hours and includes fun activities to try out at home. The goal is to provide parents with fun activities to develop their child’s skills and transfer new skills to daily life. Programs will be offered in various locations and at various times.

Start Dates: November 2023.

The fine motor toolbox will be delivered in online group sessions. Sessions will allow children to practice and build their fine motor skills, through guided activities with everyday items. Caregiver‘s are required to participate with their child during the sessions.

The fine motor toolbox occurs weekly from October to June and is 1 hour long.

Start Date: TBD

For children receiving PUF/MM/EAL funding, there are no additional fees for this class. This yoga class has been created to provide additional therapeutic services for your child and to support them in achieving their IPP goals.  Benefits and learning objectives of this mindfulness and yoga program include:

• Communication & listening skills- social skills development.
• Coordination & balance- physical literacy.
• Creativity & independence.
• Emotional awareness and growth mindset practices- self-regulation.
• Making & meeting friends- developing friendships online over a safe, secure platform.

Parents are encouraged to participate with their child, and siblings are welcome too!  Please dress in comfortable clothing that allows movement.  Use of a yoga mat is recommended, but not required.  A blanket on the floor would also work.

Class attendance is capped. You do not need to register yourself or additional siblings &/or family members.

The Virtual Yoga classes occur weekly from October to June and are 45 minutes long.

Start Date: October 24th.

If your child qualifies for PUF/MM funding, they get to participate in the Online Foothills Creative Beginnings music therapy program for free.

The music therapy program provides an additional therapeutic service for your child to work on their IPP goals. In addition to providing an extra opportunity to work on IPP based goals, music therapy sessions count towards the required 475 programming hours.

Music therapy sessions occur weekly from October to June and are 30 minutes long. Activities will include singing, song writing, musical games, and moving to music. These activities promote social interaction, improve language and communication skills, improve gross and fine motor coordination, increase creative self-expression, increase sensory stimulation, and address academic and life skills.

If you are interested in having your child participate in online group music therapy sessions, please fill out the registration and consent form below. Registration is on-going so you may register your child for music therapy at any point throughout the year if they qualify for PUF or Mild Moderate funding.

Start Date: October 17th.